Teachers in the Fife area are reporting ‘alarming’ records of violence and aggression from pupils, with unions calling all on action to be taken.

New figures released today by The Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) reveal that 94% of teachers in Fife have been involved in violent and aggressive incidents in the last four years and 61% have been assaulted in the same time period.

Almost half (48%) of respondents reported that violent and aggressive incidents were a daily occurrence in their schools. A further 28% reported that there were violent and aggressive incidents every week.  

Figures by Fife Council also show that more than 30 violent and aggressive incidents are happening every day across all of the local authority’s schools and early learning centres, with EIS also highlighting that even parents are getting involved in the same type of behaviour.

Teachers are continuing to report incidents of pushing or shoving, being struck with an object, kicking, punching, biting and spitting. Where the aggressive behaviour was not physical, teachers most often reported threats, swearing, mockery and behaviour motivated by sexism. 

Graeme Keir, EIS Fife Publicity Officer said: “The publication of these figures shows there is a real and sustained crisis in many Fife schools.

“Violence and Aggression is completely unacceptable in our schools and teachers have been working flat out to address the issues. However, all teachers know that action plans and devoted teachers cannot alone alleviate these problems unless there is also an increase in staffing.”

Fife Local Association of the EIS surveyed its members after reported a sharp rise in violent and aggressive incidents since the Covid pandemic.

The incidents have attracted media attention across the country, as well as the attention of some local and national politicians.

An action plan in Fife has been in operation since last year and the Scottish government recently issued an action plan. Fife EIS has issued this survey, in part, to monitor whether any of these actions are starting to address the crisis.  

READ MORE: 

Mr Keir added: “The education service has suffered over fourteen years of cuts so there were not enough staff to cope with the impact of the pandemic.

“Fife already has one of the lowest per head spends on education and we are threatened with more cuts next financial year.

“We are asking that Fife Council finds the resources to increase specialist services for children and young people in need. I’d ask everyone reading this to write to their local councillor and MSP asking for more resources in schools and for young people in the community.” 

Jane McKeown, Fife EIS Secretary, added: “We’ve been working constructively with Fife Council for some time on these issues.

“We have made some progress but these survey results show clearly that much work is still to be done, and the work is urgent.

“The number of violent and aggressive incidents across Fife is alarmingly high, and increasing, and there are some schools where this has been the case for some time. There are clear problems in some schools which don’t seem to be being addressed quickly enough.

“Work shouldn’t hurt and education must be well funded to match the promises we’ve made to our young people and parents.”

The EIS represents teachers and associated professionals in all sectors. It is, by far, the biggest trade union for teachers in Scotland representing over 80% of teaching professionals. 

 Donald MacLeod, Fife Council's executive director of education, said: “This issue isn’t unique to Fife.  We know that teachers and school communities across Scotland are concerned about violent incidents in schools and it’s something we’re taking very seriously.   Any form of violence is unacceptable, and we’re committed to safe working practices and training for our staff. 

"Some of our schools are facing specific challenges and we give targeted support to schools where or when it’s needed.

“Across our schools a huge amount of work is underway to tackle violence and we're working with partners including police, Fife NHS, and the Health and Social Care Partnership.  Together,  we are putting together a number of different programmes, practices and actions in place."

He added: “The safety and wellbeing of all our children and staff in every Fife school is a priority and we will continue to work with all our school communities to make sure our staff and young people have a positive experience at school.”